SASKATOON, Sask. – May
27, 2013 – Canada’s Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent, today opened
the Joint Scientific Congress of the Canadian
Meteorological and Oceanographic Society,
Canadian Geophysical Union and the Canadian
Water Resources Association.
“Science is absolutely
critical in ensuring Canadians make informed
decisions for their health, safety, security
and economic prosperity and for the protection
of their environment,” said Minister Kent.
“Environment Canada’s scientists, researchers,
technicians and meteorologists play an important
role in delivering timely, accurate and
reliable weather, water and climate services
to Canadians.”
In today’s speech, Minister
Kent highlighted the Government’s commitment
to science and to Canada’s weather and environmental
services. Topics covered in the speech included:
The Government’s commitment
in Budget 2013 of $248 million over five
years to further strengthen Canada’s meteorological
services;
The Government’s support of seven innovative
environmental projects which will receive
more than $32 million in research funding
over the next five years through the Natural
Science and Engineering Research Council’s
new Climate
Change and Atmospheric Research initiative;
Highlighting that science is the foundation
of the Joint Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring
plan;
The Government’s investment of $34.8 million,
in Canada’s 2010 Economic Action Plan to
deliver new weather and navigational warning
services in the Arctic and a $78.7 million
investment in 2011 to improve weather monitoring
infrastructure; and
Highlighting that Environment Canada is
one of the most productive institutions
in environmental research in the world,
with over 700 peer-reviewed publications
every year.
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Minister Kent Highlights
Canada’s Environmental Achievements during
European Tour
BRUSSELS, Belgium -
May 15, 2013 - Canada’s Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent, spoke today with
the Centre for European Policy Studies in
Brussels, Belgium, on Canada’s environmental
achievements and the importance of collaborating
with international partners to advance mutual
goals in ensuring a clean, safe and sustainable
environment and addressing climate change.
“Every country has its
own unique geographic, economic and social
landscape—which impacts its environmental
challenges and solutions,” said Minister
Kent. “There are no ‘one-size-fits-all’
solutions to reducing emissions. Mutual
progress relies on effective collaboration
that recognizes individual challenges and
solutions.”
In today’s speech, Minister
Kent reaffirmed that Canada is serious about
taking action on all fronts—domestic and
international—to address the impacts of
climate change and other environmental challenges.
Topics covered in the speech included:
Canada’s sector-by-sector
approach to reduce greenhouse gases;
Emissions reductions in the oil sands and
highlighting the joint monitoring portal;
Canada’s commitment to meeting its Copenhagen
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020;
Canada’s more stringent regulations in a
variety of areas;
Canada’s investment of $1.2 billion towards
climate change fast-start financing to help
developing economies reduce emissions and
adapt to climate change;
Canada's work with business and international
partners to encourage innovative environmental
technologies and clean energy;
Canada’s leadership in chemical management
and Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan;
Advancements in the protection of wildlife,
water and land in Canada.
